Rebecca Winters has previously set romance novels in Texas and Wyoming. In her new series 'Sapphire Mountain Cowboys' she moves the action to Montana. I enjoyed A VALENTINE FOR THE COWBOY. A recent arrival from California is Brianna Frost, just out of college, who escapes the sadness of her family home to work in the Western saddlery shop owned by her aunt and uncle. A customer who sparks her interest is Roce Clayton, of a ranching and gem mining family. Roce is pleasant, but his brother Eli is in need of help.

Eli is divorced after a too-brief marriage left him literally holding the baby. His little daughter Libby means the world to him. When he first meets Brianna, she's holding his little girl. Eli is less polite than he could be, and coupled with the fact that he's wearing his wedding ring, Brianna immediately considers the good-looking man off-limits. Matters gradually change as Eli faces up to the fact that his marriage is over and Libby needs more attention than he is able to give. Could the newcomer be the answer? And why would she be willing to spend time with a stranger - who hasn't made a great first impression? What's more, doesn't Libby's future require that Eli tries to get back with her mother?

While the story starts in midwinter, I like that the good people get out, meet and have fun regardless of weather. A rodeo, town dining and meeting friends are great ways to stay cheerful through winter. The depths to the plot are quite complex and leave us wondering exactly what will happen, and what would be best for the families concerned. If you've ever been in such an emotional turmoil you have my sympathy! But life has a way of working out as people grow and change.

Other issues through the story include water contaminated by mine runoffs, which apparently affects a lot of ranchers in this area even after mines are closed. But without the mines, there would be no beautiful sapphires for Valentine gift rings... I'll say no more! A VALENTINE FOR THE COWBOY is worth a read and will make you look forward to spring. I'll be checking out more books by Rebecca Winters as her characters are extremely well drawn and she helps us understand their world.